Friday, March 25, 2011

Cracking the Footy Codes

It's that time of year when the days grow shorter and nights grow colder. And that can only mean one time. Yep, the footy season's back!

So, if you find yourself an outcast in your social circle because you don't know the difference between a Steeden and a Sherrin, or between a Swan, a Socceroo, a Dragon and a Wallaby (and exactly what was Cazaly doing "up there") then may I commend Mr Tony Squires excellent volume Cracking the Footy Codes: a beginners guide to AFL, League, Union and Football. Squires' is an eminent authority of these matters, being not only the main sports presenter on the Channel 7 news, but has also (according to the cover blurb) played footy, refereed footy, written, talked about and cried over footy (as a a fellow St. George tragic I have some sympathy with that last bit). This book explains in simple terms the four footballs codes in Australia and is full of all sorts of interesting trivia to impress your friends with.